Solomon h



(No Model.)

S. H. GODMAN.

' BRIDGE. No. 349,345. Patented Sept. 21, 1886 WITNESSES. I I 11vVEJVTOR.

N. PETERS. Pholrldhognphun Wasnm m. u:c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SOLOMON H. GODMAN, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

\ BRIDGE.

BPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,345, datedSeptember 21, 1886.

Application filed June 12, 1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SOLOMON H. GODMAN, of the city of Indianapolis,county of Marion, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Bridges, of which the following is aspecification.

As is well known to those familiar with the art of bridge-building, thescarcity of stone in certain localities and-its consequent high pricehas created a demand for a substitute therefor in the construction ofthe substructures of bridges. Iron pillars have been used as asubstitute, but owing to faulty arrangement and connection to the bridgehave failed to satisfactorily perform the functions of a firm steady,and durable structure, and necessitates the building of woodenapproaches to the bridge, which are neither sightly nor durable.

My said invention consists, therefore, in the construction andarrangement of a substructure and its connection to the bridge, wherebythe above disadvantages are avoided, and a strong, durable, and firmstructure produced, and a solid earth approach provided for, as will behereinafter more fully described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

which are made a part hereof, and on which similar letters of referenceindicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bridgeembodying my said invention; Fig. 2, an under side view, lookingupwardly from the dotted line 2 2; Fig. 3, a transverse verticalsectional view,on an enlarged scale,looking to the left from the dottedline 3 8, showing the substructure in front elevation; and Fig. 4, a detail sectional view as seen from the dotted line In said drawings, theportions marked A represent the girders of the bridge; B, the sills ofthe substructure; G0, the posts of the sub structure; D, cross-beamsconnecting the several posts; E, braces extending from the posts O tothe girders, and F planking to support the earth in position.

The girders A are preferably built up of metal plates and angle-irons,as is common in such places; but of course maybe of any other suitableconstruction preferred. Their ends rest on the tops of the posts 0, asshown, and are secured thereto by angle-irons and bolts, or in anysuitable manner. The roadway is completed by the use of floor-beams A,joists Serial No. 168,456. (No model.)

or stringers A and planking A suitable for the purpose, the floor-beamsbeing stayed by brace-rods a" in the usual and well known manner.

The sills B are preferably timbers; but of course may be of iron orstone, if desired. They are embedded in the earth directly under thepoints where the ends of the bridge will come, preferably belowlow-water mark;

The posts 0 are preferably heavy wroughtiron posts of sufficient size tosupport the superstructure steadily. They are securely fastened to thesills at their lower ends, generally by means of angle-irons, and havethe ends of the girders secured to their tops, as before described. Theyare preferably in the form of I-beams, and the braces E are securedthereto by means of rivets or bolts passing through their flanges andsimilar flanges formed on the braces, as shown. lar to theposts 0,except that they are'the thickness of the cross-beam D shorter. They arealso secured to the sills B in a similar manner, and at their upper endsare firmly secured to the cross-beams D.

The cross-beams D are of suitable 'size and strength to afford a rigidlateral support or stay to the posts 0, which theytie together by beingfirmly secured to the tops thereof at their ends, as shown, and asimilar stay for the posts 0, which are secured thereto as above stated,in addition to supporting the ends of the floor-timbers, as beforedescribed.

The braces E are preferably built up from metal plates and angle-ironssimilarly to the girders. They are secured to the girders A. by rivetsor bolts 6, and to the main posts 0 by rivets or bolts 6, as shown andbefore described. Instead of the plain form of brace shown,it may bemade in the form of a low arch, as will be readily understood. Saidbrace or arch is so arranged as to bring the thrust thereof directlyopposite the pressure of the earth from the outside, and the posts arethereby held rigidly in position, being thus firmly supported from eachside.

' The walls F are preferably of plank; but may be of metal plates, ifdesired. The lower edges rest upon the sills B, behind the foot of theposts, and are built up to the top of said posts, closing the openspaces between them, thus preventing any of the earth fill from passingthrouglnand bringing the entire pressure thereof directly against therear side ct said pests, thereby counteracting the thrust of the bracesor arches against the trout side at the posts.

The enti re bridge,when conu'tleted, is practically in one piece, theseveral parts being so cured firmly together, and a rigid and solidstructure is thus produced, the several parts of which each operate tobrace and support the others,and add strength and solidity t hereto.This construction permits asolid earth roadway to be built directly tothe bridge, avoiding the necessit ol' a wooden approach.

Having thus fully described my said inrention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, ist 1. The combination, in a bridge,of the girders A. posts C, braces Ear-ranged between said posts andgirders, and the wall F, arranged behind said posts, against which theearth fill bears, snbstant'iallyas set tnrth.

2. The combination of the sills B, the posts C and C, mounted on saidsills, the cross-beam 1'), secured to the tops ot' said posts,thegirders A, supported on said posts, the braces 1), running between saidpost's C and said girders,and the wall F, behind said posts,substantially as set t'orth.

3. Thecombinationol'thegirdersol'abridgc, posts supporting said girders,braces or arches running from said posts to said girders and secured toeach, a wall behind said girders,and av fill between said wall and thebank oi the streannwhich bears against said wall, whereby the thrust ofthe brace or arch against the op positc side of said posts counteractedand a solid structure produced, substantially as set forth.

In witness whcreol' I have hereunto set my hand and seal, atIndianapolis, Indiana, this tlth day ot'May, A. 1D, 1885.

SOLOMON H. GODMAX. [n

In presence ol'- 0. Bus nronn,

XV. Biunronn.

